Medicine cap timing apparatus

Abstract

A medicine cap with a timing mechanism that automatically resets upon the removal of the cap from a medicine bottle. A timing device is housed within a medicine camp, with a diaphragm housed below the timing device. The diaphragm has a rod extending upward from a central location, and fastening the cap onto a bottle or container causes the rod to be pushed up into contact with, and activate, the timing device. Upon removal of the cap from the bottle or container, the rod loses contact with the timing device, and the timer is reset. The cap may comprise multiple pieces, so the cap may be used in child-proof mode by the engagement and disengagement of splines on the cap housing and a cap insert. Means are supplied for enabling the constant engaging of the splines.

1 . A timing apparatus, comprising:
 electronic timing means; and   a diaphragm with a rod extending from one side of the diaphragm, said diaphragm being movable from a first position to a second position, wherein said rod is in contact with the electronic timing means when the diaphragm is in the second position and activates said electronic timing means.   
     
     
         2 . The timing apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said diaphragm and electronic timing means are disposed within a medicine container cap. 
     
     
         3 . The timing apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the diaphragm is moved to the second position when the medicine container cap is placed on a container. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , further wherein the electronic timing means is disposed between the top end of the container cap and the diaphragm, and the diaphragm forms a bowl with a convex and concave side, the concave side facing the electronic timing means, and with the rod extending from the center of the concave side. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a sealing disk disposed within the container cap between the diaphragm and the open end of the container cap, wherein said sealing disk is adapted to push the diaphragm and rod towards the top end of the container cap when the container cap is placed on a container.   
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , further comprising at least one battery disposed within or adjacent to the electronic timing means. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , further wherein the top end of the container cap has one or more apertures therethrough.